A trainee construction manager from Fradswell, near Stone, has been chosen by Lovell as its Trainee of the Year for the Midlands region.

Trainee site manager Simon Wilson, 27, was presented with a certificate, a glass trophy and a bottle of champagne by Lovell regional director David Gough at a ceremony to mark his achievement.

"Simon has made tremendous progress since joining Lovell and he thoroughly deserves to win this award," said David Gough. "He has all of the attributes needed to make a first-class construction manager and we are all excited by the potential that he has shown."

Simon joined Lovell in October 2007. He is a member of the company's national Lovell Management Development Academy training programme and is being prepared for a management role. The Lovell Management Development Academy helps management trainees identify where their strengths lie and choose the areas they want to specialise in. He is currently working as part of the site team undertaking a major regeneration programme at the Coalville estate in Stoke-on-Trent which Lovell is carrying out as part of special purpose development company The Compendium Group.


In addition to learning about the practical site of the housebuilding industry on site, Simon is studying for an NVQ Level 4 qualification in construction site management, with his work being marked by assessors from the National House-Building Council (NHBC).

"I didn't know that I'd been nominated so it was a complete shock when I heard my name being read out," said Simon. "I'm really proud to have been chosen ahead of all of the other management trainees working for Lovell in the Midlands – it's the first time I've ever won anything like this and I'm thrilled.

"On site, I'm responsible for a variety of tasks such as checking production, making sure all of the tradespeople have the correct materials and equipment to do their jobs, and liaising with inspectors from the NHBC when they visit the site. I hope to become an assistant site manager when I’ve completed my studies and then progress to running my own sites in the future."

(CD/GK)